Saturday, August 27, 2011

Lung Cancer - Symptoms And Treatments

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells. Lung cancer occurs when it is an uncontrolled growth of cells begins in one or both lungs. The lungs are two spongy organs within the chest cavity larger. The air blowing into the trachea and moves down two tubes called bronchi, each going to the lungs. Lung cancer occurs most often in adults between the ages of 40 and 70, who smoked cigarettes for at least 20 years.

More than 1,400 Victorians are diagnosed every year. Only about 2% of patients were diagnosed with lung cancer has spread to other areas of the body are alive five years after diagnosis, although survival rates are diagnosed at an early stage are greater than about 49% survive five years or more.

There are several types of lung cancer, depending on the cells are affected. There are two types:

First small cell carcinoma

About 15 percent are small cell carcinomas. This type of cancer spreads early and shows few early symptoms.

2. Non-small cell carcinoma

These cancers affect the cells lining the bronchi large.

Some lung cancers are metastatic cancers in other parts of the body. The lungs are a common place for metastatic disease. Since lung cancer tends to spread, or metastasize very early in its course, it is very life-threatening cancer and one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Although lung cancer can spread to any organ of the body.

Symptoms vary depending on where and how the tumor is widespread. Warning signs of lung cancer are not always present or easy to identify. The symptoms of lung cancer can take years to appear, usually after the disease is advanced.

Below the following symptoms of lung cancer include:

1. Chest pain or shoulder back a cough

2. A cough that does not go away or gets worse over time

3. Difficulty breathing and swallowing

4th recurring pneumonia or chest infections

5. Wheezing or hoarseness may signal blockage

6. Unexplained weight loss

Lung cancer is classified into several stages according to its spread. This helps doctors decide on appropriate treatments. The treatments also depend on the cancer type, age, health status and other personal characteristics. Since there is usually no treatment for cancer, patients often receive a combination of therapies and palliative care. More than one type of therapy can be prescribed.

Although diagnostic methods have contributed important cells from cancer information and look under a microscope is the only absolute way to diagnose lung cancer. This procedure is called a biopsy. If the biopsy confirms cancer, a pathologist to determine if it is non-small cell or small cell.

Small cell lung cancer has two phases, which are:

1. In the short time available in a lung tumor and nearby lymph nodes.

In the second phase of extensive tumor has infected the other lung and other organs in the body.

Non-small cell lung cancer, these steps are marked I to IV. Small numbers indicate an earlier stage where the cancer has spread to the less:

1. Phase I is when the cancer is found only in one lung and lymph nodes.

2. Phase II is when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes around the infected lungs.

3. Stage III is when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes around the trachea, chest wall and diaphragm on the same side as the infected lung.

4. Stage IV when cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the other lung or neck.

5. Stage IV when cancer has spread throughout the body and other parts of the lungs.

As with most cancers, the best results are if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage. However, some lung cancers are not diagnosed until they are quite advanced. The treatment may be limited to relieving symptoms. Treatment decisions depend on the SCLC and NSCLC. Treatment options include:

First Chemotherapy is a cancer drug is given to stop cancer cells from multiplying. This treatment is most effective for small cell carcinoma.

2. Surgery to remove the affected lung, or an entire lung. This offers the best chance of cure if the cancer has not spread beyond the lungs.

3rd radiotherapy using X-rays to target and kill cancer cells. It can be used in some early stage lung cancer and stop the cancer in the lymph nodes from spreading further.

4. Targeted therapy is the use of small molecules, often in the form of tablets, which can be used after chemotherapy.

5th Clinical trials are participating in a clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of new drugs can offer.

Cancers that are closely linked to certain forms of behavior are the easiest to prevent. If you are a current tobacco user, can not cope with even significantly reduce your chances of getting cancer. The most important preventive measure you can do is to stop smoking. Many products such as nicotine gum, nicotine spray, nicotine inhaler has been used successfully to help people trying to quit smoking.

There are frequent causes of lung cancer:

A first person who smokes more than a pack of cigarettes a day are at risk from 20 to 25 times greater than someone who has never smoked.

2. Cigar and pipe smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer, but not as much as smoking.

3rd Asbestos fibers are silicate fibers that can last a lifetime in the lung tissue after exposure to asbestos. The work is a common source of exposure to asbestos fibers.

4. Radon is a chemically inert gas natural, which is a natural decay product of uranium. When it is estimated that 12% of deaths due to radon.

5. Air pollution from vehicles, industry and power plants can increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer in people exposed

Screening techniques are designed to find cancer at an early stage so that the majority of treatment options are available. This cancer is detected after the latter stages of the disease that have spread and are more difficult to treat. Potential screening tests for lung cancer include analysis of sputum cells, fiber-optic examination of bronchial share of low-dose spiral CT.

Treatments for cancer and cancer can make a person feel too tired to exercise. However, studies show that exercise can increase energy levels, is a person who has cancer.

Regular exercise improves the functioning of the immune system and can increase survival rates in some cases. The five goal 20 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. But do not use without medical information and support because inappropriate exercise may be harmful.

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